Query-based notification architecture

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/657,535, filed on Feb. 28, 2005, and entitled “QUERY-BASED NOTIFICATION ARCHITECTURE,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is related to computer systems and more particularly to a system and methodology that facilitates monitoring disparate data repositories with respect to new and/or modified content.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As reliance upon computers becomes increasingly more commonplace, the task of managing data received, generated, modified and/or deleted is greatly enhanced. Frequently a computer user accesses a variety local and shared file systems in connection with a number of utility, entertainment and communication applications (e.g., email accounts, content download sources). With the technological advances and increased reliance upon computing systems, and more particularly in the organization and management of content related to a large number of repositories, there is an ongoing and increasing need to monitor content activity with respect to these repositories. Additionally, there is a substantial need to generate a notification in response to a change in content of these multiple repositories.

Today, computer users often have to manage a variety of content (e.g., photos, email) received from and maintained within many different sources. For example, a user must manage and organize content in accessible local file systems, shared filed systems, multiple email accounts and the like. In order to maintain effective monitoring of these repositories, it would be helpful for the user to receive a prompt upon the arrival and/or change in content. This prompt could be particularly useful to monitor sources including, but not limited to, the World Wide Web, a network “share”, email account(s), or a local machine.

Conventional email applications provide a limited model for monitoring the arrival of new email content. For example, email systems notify a user of newly received content. However, these conventional systems are limited in that they do not address other types of data arrival and/or modification. Today, a particular email system is limited to only notify a user of the arrival of an email within the particular email application.

Accordingly, there is a need for a more centralized system that can provide notifications of receipt and/or modification of content across a user accessible file system and corresponding applications. Furthermore, there is a need for generating these notifications in response to data changes on multiple user machines thereby centralizing delivery of such notifications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject invention disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, is directed to a novel system that facilitates monitoring data. The system includes a monitoring component that can monitor a plurality of disparate repositories in order to identify the receipt of new and/or modified content. The invention employs a centralized store (e.g., change queue), which maintains metadata corresponding to imported (e.g., new) metadata. In accordance thereto, an extensible system for importing and monitoring data from external sources is provided.

Aspects of the subject invention include a mechanism that enables users to construct queries against imported metadata. These queries can be labeled as “important” thus designating them as “standing queries.” A standing query can monitor a designated repository (or group of repositories) as defined by the user. A user interface (e.g., graphical user interface) can be employed to assist in designating “standing queries.” By way of example, once a query is constructed, a user can drag an icon which represents the query onto a “notification bar” thereby automatically designating the query as a standing query. Once designated, the standing query can monitor incoming metadata in relation to the subject repository. A notification can be generated when the “important” or “standing query” is matched to new or changed metadata. Additionally, the subject invention provides for a mechanism that transmits metadata changes between devices (e.g., personal computers).

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the invention are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention can be employed and the subject invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> illustrates a general component block diagram of a system that monitors multiple repositories in accordance with an aspect of the subject invention.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates an exemplary flow chart of procedures to create and designate a standing query in accordance with a disclosed aspect.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> illustrates a general component block diagram of a system having a query definition component, a standing query component and a notification component in accordance with an aspect of the subject invention.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> illustrates a general component block diagram of a system that employs a change queue to effect maintaining metadata of imported content in accordance with an aspect of the subject invention.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> illustrates a general component block diagram of an alternative monitoring component that employs rule-based logic in accordance with an aspect of the subject invention.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates a general component block diagram of an alternative monitoring component that employs an artificial intelligence-based reasoning in accordance with an aspect of the subject invention.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates an exemplary flow chart of procedures to test metadata and to generate an appropriate notification in accordance with a disclosed aspect.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> illustrates a component diagram of an exemplary computing environment in accordance with an aspect of the subject invention.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> illustrates a block diagram of a computer operable to execute the disclosed architecture.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates a schematic block diagram of an exemplary computing environment in accordance with the subject invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the subject invention. It may be evident, however, that the subject invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the subject invention.

As used in this application, the terms “component” and “system” are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a server and the server can be a component. One or more components can reside within a process and/or thread of execution, and a component can be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers.

As used herein, the term to “infer” or “inference” refers generally to the process of reasoning about or inferring states of the system, environment, and/or user from a set of observations as captured via events and/or data. Inference can be employed to identify a specific context or action, or can generate a probability distribution over states, for example. The inference can be probabilistic—that is, the computation of a probability distribution over states of interest based on a consideration of data and events. Inference can also refer to techniques employed for composing higher-level events from a set of events and/or data. Such inference results in the construction of new events or actions from a set of observed events and/or stored event data, whether or not the events are correlated in close temporal proximity, and whether the events and data come from one or several event and data sources.

An extensible system for importing data from external sources and for monitoring the data received is provided. More particularly, the subject invention provides a novel system and methodology to monitor content activity with respect to a repository (or group of disparate repositories). The invention can employ a centralized store to maintain metadata relating to imported content. In accordance with aspects of the invention, queries can be constructed against imported and/or received metadata. Additionally, queries can be designated as “important” whereby a notification can be generated when an “important” query is matched to new or changed metadata. In order to accomplish the forgoing, the subject invention provides for a mechanism for transmitting metadata changes between devices (e.g., machines).

Referring now to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, there is illustrated a schematic representation of an aspect of a system <b>100</b> that facilitates query-based notification in accordance with the subject invention. Generally, the system <b>100</b> can include a repository store component <b>102</b> having repository components <b>104</b> therein. Further, the system <b>100</b> can employ a monitoring component <b>106</b> that monitors the activity and content of the individual repositories <b>104</b> within the repository store component <b>102</b>.

The repository store component <b>102</b> can include <b>1</b> to M repository components, where M is an integer. Repository components <b>1</b> to M can be referred to collectively or individually as repository components <b>104</b> as illustrated. In accordance with aspects of the subject invention, repository component(s) <b>104</b> can be any repository capable of maintaining data and/or information. By way of example, repository component(s) <b>104</b> can include, but are not intended to be limited to, local file stores, shared file stores, email applications, websites or the like.

The monitoring component <b>106</b> can monitor the content and activity of the repository components <b>104</b>. By way of example, the monitoring component <b>106</b> can identify the receipt of new content into the repository components <b>104</b>. In accordance thereto, the monitoring component <b>106</b> can effect a desired prompt and/or notification. For instance, upon receipt of an email communication via a user personal email application, the monitoring component <b>106</b> can generate a specialized notification thereby alerting the user of such receipt. Likewise, if an email communication is received via a disparate email application, the monitoring component <b>106</b> can generate a different specialized notification thereby alerting the user of such receipt.

By way of further example, in alternate aspects, the monitoring component <b>106</b> can be configured with a decision-making mechanism (e.g., logic) in the form of a rule engine whereby a rule can be applied to the monitoring component <b>106</b> thus effecting operations in accordance with the rule. In an alternate embodiment, an artificial intelligence (AI) component can be employed individually or in combination with other evaluation and/or logic-based schemes in connection with the operation of the monitoring component <b>106</b>. These alternative aspects will be described in greater detail with respect to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5 and 6</figref> infra.

With reference to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, there is illustrated a flowchart in accordance to an aspect of the subject invention. While, for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the one or more methodologies shown herein, e.g., in the form of a flow chart, are shown and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and appreciated that the subject invention is not limited by the order of acts, as some acts may, in accordance with the subject invention, occur in a different order and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the subject invention.

Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, at <b>202</b>, a query is constructed. By way of example, a query can be constructed to identify content received from a particular source. In another example, a query can be constructed to identify content of a particular type (e.g., music) generated by a particular author (e.g., artist) or of a particular genre. It is to be appreciated that defining a query can be extremely simple or very complex. In other words, the query can be based upon one matching condition, such as “all email received from Matt.” Additionally, the query can be based on multiple conditions, such as “all email received from Matt between the dates of Jun. 12, 2004 and Jun. 17, 2004.”

At <b>204</b>, the query can be added to a notification panel or other designated staging area. In one aspect, the notification panel can be any designated location identified in a user interface (UI). For example, a lower portion of the graphical user interface (GUI) can be designated as such a staging area. Once placed into the staging area, the query is designated as a standing query at <b>206</b>.

At <b>208</b>, a determination is made if another query is to be added to the notification panel (e.g., staging area). If another query is desired, the system returns to <b>202</b> to construct the additional query. On the other hand, if an additional query is not desired, the methodology finishes as illustrated. It will be understood that once an additional query is placed upon the notification panel and/or staging area, the system can monitor all of the subject queries and generate content change notifications accordingly. This process can be better understood with reference to the figures that follow.

With reference now to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, a system that facilitates monitoring one or more repository components <b>104</b> is shown. As illustrated, the monitoring component <b>106</b> can include a standing query component <b>302</b> and a notification component <b>304</b>. The standing query component <b>302</b> can be employed to monitor (e.g., query) metadata related to newly received (e.g., imported) and/or modified content. As well, the standing query component <b>302</b> can be designated to correspond to a particular and/or multiple repository components <b>104</b>. It will be appreciated that the standing query component <b>302</b> can be constructed by a user and/or application. Furthermore, although a single standing query component <b>302</b> is illustrated in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, it is to be understood that the monitoring component <b>106</b> can employ multiple standing query components that correspond to common and/or disparate repository components <b>104</b>. In other words, the subject invention can facilitate monitoring and/or managing content with respect to a plurality of disparate repositories via multiple standing query components <b>302</b>.

The standing query component can be generated via a query definition component <b>306</b>. It is to be appreciated that the query definition component <b>306</b> can employ any known technique to effect definition of the query. By way of example, the query definition component <b>306</b> can employ graphical interactive techniques whereby iconic representations are manipulated thus generating the query. It will be appreciated that the query definition component <b>306</b> can include or be used in connection with a GUI to facilitate interactively generating the query.

The notification component <b>304</b> can be employed to alert of a change in content as defined by a particular standing query component <b>302</b>. By way of example, suppose the standing query component <b>302</b> corresponds to a personal email account. Particularly, suppose the standing query component <b>302</b> is defined to identify “all new email received from Matt.” Upon receipt of new content in the email account from “Matt”, the notification component <b>304</b> can alert a user accordingly. It will be appreciated that the notification component <b>304</b> can employ any type of alert including, but not limited to, visual and/or audible alerts. Additionally, the notification component <b>304</b> can be employed to alert and/or trigger an application in response to a change in content corresponding to additional repository components <b>104</b>.

Referring now to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, a more detailed schematic view of a monitoring component <b>106</b> is shown. In particular, monitoring component <b>106</b> can employ a standing query component <b>302</b>, a notification component <b>304</b> and a metadata store or change queue <b>402</b>. The change queue <b>402</b> can maintain metadata corresponding to newly received and/or modified content relating to the repository components <b>104</b>. Although the change queue <b>402</b> is illustrated as being integral to the monitoring component, it is to be understood that the change queue <b>402</b> can be deployed in any desired location without departing from the spirit and/or scope of the subject invention. For example, in an alternate aspect, the functionality of the change queue <b>402</b> can be integral to the repository store component <b>102</b> and/or integral to specific repository components <b>104</b>. In yet another aspect, the change queue <b>402</b> can be located as a standalone storage device and/or memory device.

In operation, metadata from imported content can be extracted and maintained in the change queue <b>402</b>. Accordingly, the monitoring component <b>106</b> can employ the standing query component <b>302</b> to interrogate the change queue <b>402</b> to identify content (e.g., metadata) that satisfies the standing query. Upon detection of satisfying metadata, the notification component <b>304</b> can be employed to generate an alert as described supra.

With reference now to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, an alternate aspect of monitoring component <b>106</b> is shown. More particularly, monitoring component <b>106</b> can include a rule-based logic component <b>502</b> in addition to the standing query component <b>302</b>, notification component <b>304</b> and change queue <b>402</b> described above. In accordance with this alternate aspect, an implementation scheme (e.g., rule) can be applied in connection to the functionality of the monitoring component <b>106</b>. It will be appreciated that the rule-based implementation can facilitate automatic definition and/or implementation of standing query component <b>302</b> with respect to a repository component <b>104</b>. In one aspect, the rule-based implementation can function as a filter and select data component(s) included within the result(s) generated by the standing query component <b>302</b> by employing a predefined and/or programmed rule(s) based upon any desired criteria (e.g., file type, file size, hardware characteristics).

By way of example, a user can establish a rule that can implement a query of a preferred type of file (e.g., music). In this exemplary aspect, the rule can be constructed to select all new or modified music files located in a targeted data store or source location. Accordingly, a result set of data components can be obtained, previewed and/or manipulated as desired. It will be appreciated that any of the specifications and/or criteria utilized in accordance with the subject invention can be programmed into a rule-based implementation scheme.

In the exemplary aspect of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the rule-based logic component <b>502</b> can be programmed or configured in accordance with any user-defined preference. For example, a rule can be established in accordance with a specific hardware configuration. By way of further example, a rule can be constructed in accordance with specific memory capacity of a device. In other words, as previously discussed, a rule can be established to take into consideration the specific limitations of a hardware device (e.g., memory and/or storage capacity). Thus, in one aspect, if a specific handheld device has low memory capacity, a rule can be generated to ignore and not notify a user of new content that exceeds a predefined size threshold.

A schematic diagram of another alternative aspect of the monitoring component <b>106</b> is illustrated in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>. In addition to or in place of the rule-based logic component described with reference to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the monitoring component <b>106</b> can include an artificial intelligence (AI) engine component <b>602</b>.

In accordance with this aspect, the optional AI engine component <b>602</b> can facilitate automatically configuring and/or implementing various aspects of the monitoring component <b>106</b>. The AI component <b>602</b> can optionally include an inference component (not shown) that can further enhance automated aspects of the AI components utilizing, in part, inference based schemes to facilitate inferring intended actions to be performed at a given time and state. The AI-based aspects of the invention can be effected via any suitable machine-learning based technique and/or statistical-based techniques and/or probabilistic-based techniques.

In the alternate aspect, as further illustrated by <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the monitoring component <b>106</b> (e.g., in connection with defining criteria and/or parameters, filtering results) can optionally employ various artificial intelligence based schemes for automatically carrying out various aspects thereof. Specifically, an AI engine component <b>602</b> can optionally be provided to implement aspects of the subject invention based upon AI processes (e.g., confidence, inference). For example, a process for defining a standing query component <b>302</b>, which interrogates content of a repository, can be facilitated via an automatic classifier system and process. Further, the optional AI component <b>602</b> can be employed to facilitate an automated process of creating and designating a standing query in accordance with historical user trends whereby data files corresponding to a specific set of criteria can be identified and presented to a user.

A classifier is a function that maps an input attribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, xn), to a confidence that the input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence(class). Such classification can employ a probabilistic and/or statistical-based analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) to prognose or infer an action that a user desires to be automatically performed. In the case of standing query creation and designation, for example, attributes can be file types or other data-specific attributes derived from the file types and/or contents, and the classes can be categories or areas of interest.

A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates by finding a hypersurface in the space of possible inputs, which hypersurface attempts to split the triggering criteria from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classification correct for testing data that is near, but not identical to training data. Other directed and undirected model classification approaches include, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision trees, and probabilistic classification models providing different patterns of independence can be employed. Classification as used herein also is inclusive of statistical regression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated from the subject specification, the invention can employ classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generic training data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing user behavior, receiving extrinsic information). For example, SVM's can be configured via a learning or training phase within a classifier constructor and feature selection module. In other words, the use of expert systems, fuzzy logic, support vector machines, greedy search algorithms, rule-based systems, Bayesian models (e.g., Bayesian networks), neural networks, other non-linear training techniques, data fusion, utility-based analytical systems, systems employing Bayesian models, etc. are contemplated and are intended to fall within the scope of the hereto appended claims.

Other implementations of AI could include alternative aspects whereby based upon a learned or predicted user intention, the system can generate hierarchical notifications and/or prompts. Likewise, an optional AI component could generate multiple prompts to a single and/or group of users based upon the received content.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates a flow chart of a methodology that facilitates detection of new content. At <b>702</b>, new (or modified) content is received in a data store (e.g., repository). The metadata of the new content is extracted and stored in a change queue at <b>704</b>. It will be appreciated that the change queue can be any data storage device known in the art. For example, the metadata can be cached, buffered, stored or the like. In order to test the metadata of the new content, which is maintained in the change queue, the standing query is rewritten at <b>706</b>. In operation, the standing query is rewritten to interrogate the metadata maintained in the change queue. At <b>708</b>, the standing query is executed.

Changes to the metadata are tested against the standing query at <b>710</b>. A determination is made at <b>712</b> to establish if the standing query matches any of the newly received content metadata in the change queue. If the standing query does not match any of the metadata the process returns to <b>702</b> and the system waits for new content to be received. If a determination is made that the standing query matches the new metadata, at <b>714</b>, a notification is generated to prompt of new content. It will be appreciated that the process illustrated by the flow diagram of <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> can be repeated once notification is generated. In other words, once notification is effected to identify that new content had been received, the process can return to <b>702</b> to wait for additional new content.

Referring to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, a schematic block diagram of an exemplary computing environment is shown in accordance with an aspect of the subject invention. Specifically, the system <b>800</b> illustrated includes a repository store component <b>102</b> having repository components <b>104</b> contained therein. Further, the system <b>800</b> includes a monitoring component <b>106</b> and a query definition component <b>306</b>. These components can have the same functionality as discussed in detail supra with reference to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>. Additionally, the system <b>800</b> illustrated employs a communication framework <b>802</b> whereby the repository store component <b>102</b> can be located remotely from the monitoring component <b>106</b> and/or the query definition component <b>306</b>. It is to be appreciated that communications framework <b>802</b> can employ any communications technique (wired and/or wireless) known in the art. For example, communications framework <b>802</b> can include, but is not limited to, Bluetooth™, Infrared (IR), Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or the like.

Referring now to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, there is illustrated a block diagram of a computer operable to execute the disclosed architecture. In order to provide additional context for various aspects of the subject invention, <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment <b>900</b> in which the various aspects of the subject invention can be implemented. While the invention has been described above in the general context of computer-executable instructions that may run on one or more computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention also can be implemented in combination with other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer system configurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can be operatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The illustrated aspects of the invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

A computer typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media can comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital video disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the computer.

Communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

With reference again to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, there is illustrated an exemplary environment <b>900</b> for implementing various aspects of the invention that includes a computer <b>902</b>, the computer <b>902</b> including a processing unit <b>904</b>, a system memory <b>906</b> and a system bus <b>908</b>. The system bus <b>908</b> couples system components including, but not limited to, the system memory <b>906</b> to the processing unit <b>904</b>. The processing unit <b>904</b> can be any of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and other multi-processor architectures may also be employed as the processing unit <b>904</b>.

The system bus <b>908</b> can be any of several types of bus structure that may further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures. The system memory <b>906</b> includes read only memory (ROM) <b>910</b> and random access memory (RAM) <b>912</b>. A basic input/output system (BIOS) is stored in a non-volatile memory <b>910</b> such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer <b>902</b>, such as during start-up. The RAM <b>912</b> can also include a high-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer <b>902</b> further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD) <b>914</b> (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive <b>914</b> may also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) <b>916</b>, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette <b>918</b>) and an optical disk drive <b>920</b>, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk <b>922</b> or, to read from or write to other high capacity optical media such as the DVD). The hard disk drive <b>914</b>, magnetic disk drive <b>916</b> and optical disk drive <b>920</b> can be connected to the system bus <b>908</b> by a hard disk drive interface <b>924</b>, a magnetic disk drive interface <b>926</b> and an optical drive interface <b>928</b>, respectively. The interface <b>924</b> for external drive implementations includes at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE 1394 interface technologies.

The drives and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executable instructions, and so forth. For the computer <b>902</b>, the drives and media accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format. Although the description of computer-readable media above refers to a HDD, a removable magnetic diskette, and a removable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types of media which are readable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and the like, may also be used in the exemplary operating environment, and further, that any such media may contain computer-executable instructions for performing the methods of the subject invention.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM <b>912</b>, including an operating system <b>930</b>, one or more application programs <b>932</b>, other program modules <b>934</b> and program data <b>936</b>. All or portions of the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM <b>912</b>. It is appreciated that the subject invention can be implemented with various commercially available operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer <b>902</b> through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard <b>938</b> and a pointing device, such as a mouse <b>940</b>. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, an IR remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit <b>904</b> through an input device interface <b>942</b> that is coupled to the system bus <b>908</b>, but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a USB port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor <b>944</b> or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus <b>908</b> via an interface, such as a video adapter <b>946</b>. In addition to the monitor <b>944</b>, a computer typically includes other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers etc.

The computer <b>902</b> may operate in a networked environment using logical connections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer(s) <b>948</b>. The remote computer(s) <b>948</b> can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, a personal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainment appliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer <b>902</b>, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device <b>950</b> is illustrated. The logical connections depicted include wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) <b>952</b> and/or larger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) <b>954</b>. Such LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices, and companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which may connect to a global communication network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer <b>902</b> is connected to the local network <b>952</b> through a wired and/or wireless communication network interface or adapter <b>956</b>. The adaptor <b>956</b> may facilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN <b>952</b>, which may also include a wireless access point disposed thereon for communicating with the wireless adaptor <b>956</b>. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer <b>902</b> can include a modem <b>958</b>, or is connected to a communications server on the WAN <b>954</b>, or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN <b>954</b>, such as by way of the Internet. The modem <b>958</b>, which can be internal or external and a wired or wireless device, is connected to the system bus <b>908</b> via the serial port interface <b>942</b>. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer <b>902</b>, or portions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device <b>950</b>. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers can be used.

The computer <b>902</b> is operable to communicate with any wireless devices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication, e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portable data assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment or location associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand, restroom), and telephone. This includes at least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth™ wireless technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefined structure as with conventional network or simply an ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bed in a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is a wireless technology like a cell phone that enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radio technologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, at an 11 Mbps (802.11a) or 54 Mbps (802.11b) data rate, for example, or with products that contain both bands (dual band), so the networks can provide real-world performance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet networks used in many offices.

Referring now to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, there is illustrated a schematic block diagram of an exemplary computing environment <b>1000</b> in accordance with the subject invention. The system <b>1000</b> includes one or more client(s) <b>1002</b>. The client(s) <b>1002</b> can be hardware and/or software (e.g., threads, processes, computing devices). The client(s) <b>1002</b> can house cookie(s) and/or associated contextual information by employing the subject invention, for example. The system <b>1000</b> also includes one or more server(s) <b>1004</b>. The server(s) <b>1004</b> can also be hardware and/or software (e.g., threads, processes, computing devices). The servers <b>1004</b> can house threads to perform transformations by employing the subject invention, for example. One possible communication between a client <b>1002</b> and a server <b>1004</b> can be in the form of a data packet adapted to be transmitted between two or more computer processes. The data packet may include a cookie and/or associated contextual information, for example. The system <b>1000</b> includes a communication framework <b>1006</b> (e.g., a global communication network such as the Internet) that can be employed to facilitate communications between the client(s) <b>1002</b> and the server(s) <b>1004</b>.

Communications can be facilitated via a wired (including optical fiber) and/or wireless technology. The client(s) <b>1002</b> are operatively connected to one or more client data store(s) <b>1008</b> that can be employed to store information local to the client(s) <b>1002</b> (e.g., cookie(s) and/or associated contextual information). Similarly, the server(s) <b>1004</b> are operatively connected to one or more server data store(s) <b>1010</b> that can be employed to store information local to the servers <b>1004</b>.

What has been described above includes examples of the subject invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the subject invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the subject invention are possible. Accordingly, the subject invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.